Maycee Barber took on Montana De La Rosa on the main card of UFC Vegas 52. After a few setbacks to her young career, Maycee bounced back with a split decision victory over Miranda Maverick. De La Rosa, on the other hand, came into the fight with a TKO victory over Ariane Lipski.
Right as soon as the fight started, Barber went after Montana and pushed her onto the cage while looking for a takedown. Although she did manage to get a takedown, Maycee landed on her back. But she scrambled her way up right after. Although she initially struggled a bit in the clinch, she ended the round strong with a flurry of punches. De La Rosa seemed to be in trouble at the end of the round.
The second round started off on a similar note as well. A lot of clinch work to begin with. But this time Montana started off strong. She jumped on Barber’s back and took her down. Although she tried for a rear-naked choke, Maycee powered out of it. But De La Rosa kept ‘The Future‘ entangled on the ground and finished the round on top.
With both fighters possible winning one round each, the last round was potentially the deciding one. It showed their approach as both started with big shots. But similar to most of the other two rounds, the clinch was where most of the action took place.
Despite having a good second round, Montana seemed one step behind Maycee in terms of speed. Barber seemed to be the more active fighter with more punches and elbows than her opponent. She landed a massive knee in the last minute of the fight and ultimately ended the fight on the front foot.
The Future is lookin’ good for @MayceeBarber ???? #UFCVegas52 pic.twitter.com/uW2KFmoUt4
— UFC (@ufc) April 24, 2022
Mayce Barber won the fight ultimately via unanimous decision as all 3 judges scored the fight 30-27. She is now on a two-fight win streak.
Maycee Barber is chasing after the UFC Women’s Flyweight belt
Following the fight, Maycee Barber told Daniel Cormier that she is going to be the champion of the division. Although she did not have any specific call outs, Barber wants to fight her way through the ranks and come after the title. She said,
“I don’t have a specific call out but I know I’m going to be a champion one day, and that’s something I’m coming for. So I’m coming for the belt and I’m gonna talk to the UFC, I’m gonna talk to the coaches. We’re gonna find someone in the next rankings up above me and chase that belt.”
With the divisional champion Valentina Shevchenko mowing through her opponents, she needs new contenders to fight. Hence, the prospect of young blood such as Maycee Barber chasing the championship is an encouraging sign for the audience.